Online Test-Taking Tips from Drexel University Online

Whether applying for college, seeking professional accreditation or simply trying to pass a class, being a successful test taker is an important and essential skill. Tests measure students’ ability to recollect and proffer information without having any information at hand. In short, it’s a way to make sure students have truly captured a subject and can apply what they learned without being prompted.

Still, many smart students from high school and beyond—many of whom may actually have good understanding of a test’s subject—struggle with tests and often do poorly. If you study relentlessly and still struggle on tests, it doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t learn anything, but it may be good to think about how you prepare for a test and how you take the test itself.

At Drexel University Online, all of our course material and lectures (and, yes, tests, too) are exclusively online, regardless if you’re earning an online certificate, online bachelors degree or an online masters degree. Students should be aware that taking courses online may require different study habits and test-taking techniques. Here are some simple and easy online test-taking tips that will help you take all the hard work and studying you’ve done throughout a class and apply them in an online testing environment:

1) Study in the same format as your test

While online learning isn’t drastically different from an in-class experience, it does require students to read and answer questions in a different format. Familiarize yourself with an online testing environment. Try reading your course material online to get the hang of reading and studying from a screen. Some testing programs like Blackboard and others have their own quirks and unique characteristics. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your school’s particular program so there are no surprises come the day of the exam.

2) Slow down!

Most people are familiar with quickly clicking through links, emails and social networking sites, which makes it easy to want to do the same thing during an online test. But just like on any test, reading the questions is the most important part! So you have to slow down. Take a deep breath and read the question twice if you have to. A lot of tests use funny language to make sure you’re paying attention. It’s especially easy to get caught off-guard when taking a computerized test, so be sure slow down and make sure you know what each and every question is really asking.

3) Turn off the distractions

Beyond being a faster-paced environment than a paper test, online tests offer far more distractions than a classroom. Between cell phones, profile updates, games, and browsing the web, computers can offer a mess of interruptions that can divert your attention and prevent you from focusing on your test. Whenever taking an online test it is absolutely necessary to turn off all other programs devices so you can concentrate and succeed on your exam.

4) Challenge yourself

Many people think that online classes are easier because you can reference a book or your notes while you take the test, especially when taking a test from home. This is certainly possible from time-to-time, but that doesn’t mean you should do it. After all, it’s your education and if you don’t take it seriously, you won’t get anything from it. And then it’s just a waste of your time. So always make the most of your opportunities to learn by challenging yourself and studying beforehand so you don’t even think about peeking at your notes.

Overall, online tests are a lot like any test: prepare beforehand and read through the questions, and you should be fine. Still, the online format offers different advantages and disadvantages to students. By focusing on test material and cutting off all distractions, though, you too can be a successful student and test taker.